Overview

Position: Litigation Associate

Office: Tokyo, Japan

Experience: 3 - 5 Years of Experience

 

Who We Are

MoFo is a destination law firm for talented, ambitious attorneys who value collaboration, teamwork, and commitment to excellence. We are known around the world not only for delivering innovative yet practical client service but also for serving as an incubator for our top-notch talent.

 

MoFo consistently receives top-tier rankings from leading directories and publications, speaking to our legal capabilities, dedication to creating an inclusive workplace, and commitment to our communities.

 

Our Tokyo Office

Morrison Foerster’s Tokyo office, established in 1987, was among the first international law firms licensed to practice in Japan and has been a leading presence in the market for nearly four decades. Today, we have the largest and most diverse international law practice in Japan, with approximately 100 attorneys in Tokyo, including 50 bengoshi admitted to practice in Japan. Our market-leading capabilities span M&A, technology transactions, capital markets, project finance, real estate, international arbitration, intellectual property litigation, and antitrust matters. Through our fully integrated U.S., Japan, and global platform, we provide a true “one team” approach, seamlessly supporting both inbound and outbound transactions for clients around the world. Our lawyers advise premier clients and other major Japanese and multinational companies on some of the most complex and high-profile matters in the market. The Tokyo office offers a truly international working environment within one of the most diverse global law firms in Japan, combining sophisticated cross-border work with a longstanding reputation as a market leader in the Japanese legal community.

 

Our Tokyo Litigation Team

Morrison Foerster is the only global law firm with a dedicated disputes team in Japan. Our on-the-ground team of U.S. and Japanese litigators is available locally and in real time to provide strategic advice to clients in Japanese or English on their most important disputes, as well as to help manage sensitive matters before they become adversarial. We are preeminent in representing global companies and have been recognized by the Financial Times’ Asia-Pacific Innovative Lawyers report for our “full-service litigation team in Tokyo with specialist support staff and top litigators,” which has “set the firm apart from its rivals in Japan.”

 

Who You Are

• You have class action defense experience in false advertising, product defect and false representation; and/or experience with mass tort/MDL and product liability litigation.
• You have experience with CA Unfair Competition Law.
• You are well versed in briefing class certification and/or summary judgment, drafting briefs, correspondence, and responding to written discovery.
• You have experience conducting depositions, oral arguments, and expert interviews.
• You possess excellent written and oral communication skills, strong case management skills, and have a strong work ethic, and team-oriented attitude.
• You have outstanding research and analytical skills.
• You have the ability to exercise sound legal and business knowledge in working on a broad spectrum of cases and counseling clients with respect to ongoing matters.
• Native, fluent, or business-level Japanese language proficiency is highly preferred.
• You are admitted to the state bar in which you are practicing or are eligible to waive in.

 

Own Your MoFo Career

MoFo empowers its lawyers at every level to take ownership of their careers and is transparent about what it takes to succeed and advance at the firm. The firm’s commitment to our attorneys’ growth extends throughout their careers.

• MyMoFo, a best-in-class and transparent framework for success, provides associates with clear and consistent expectations at every experience level.
• MoFo Navigate, our mentoring and sponsorship programs, takes a holistic approach to professional growth. By encouraging collaboration and leveraging insight across departments and geography, and over the course of each attorney’s career, MoFo Navigate creates a support system dynamic enough to respond to the changing needs of all of our attorneys as they grow and develop.
• MoFo NEXT, our dedicated Center for Career Advancement, offers services such as career visioning, crafting communication materials, executive presence resources, interview techniques, and networking skills.
  

 

What We Offer

• A variety of options for medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage to meet the needs of you and your family.
• Industry-leading parental leave and family benefits including adoption and fertility treatment options, backup child and elder care, and more.
• Tax free health accounts: HSA and FSA.
• 401(k) or Roth 401(k) plans.
• Global wellness program, including free access to health care advocates, Employee Assistance Program, Talkspace, and Calm apps.
• Flex Time Away and reduced schedule arrangements.
• Paid annual fees for primary state bar registration, and up to two professional associations. Additional bar memberships may be approved on a case-by-case basis.
• Dedicated in-house pro bono counsel to assist with identifying pro bono organizations and matters to work with.
• Matching gift programs for law school and charitable organization donations.

 

Inquiries

For questions regarding this position, please contact Kaoru Mitsukude, Attorney Recruiter in the Tokyo office, at KMitsukude@mofo.com

 

Morrison Foerster accepts applications for this position on an ongoing basis, until filled.

 

We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including Fair Chance Laws and Ordinances.

 

Where required by law, salary ranges are stated below. Additional compensation may include a discretionary bonus, health/welfare benefits (including parental, adoption, and fertility benefits), flexible time off, and paid holidays. The range displayed is specifically for positions performed in those cities/states and may vary based on factors including but not limited to the following: market data and ranges; an applicant's skills and prior relevant experience (including class year); and certain degrees, licensing, and certifications.